Adventure Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Adventure is the most dynamic form of education currently available and as such should move from its peripheral position in British education to become a part of the core curriculum. This move will require that school administrators better understand the philosophy and content of Adventure Education and that staff receive more rigorous training for their demanding jobs. The objective of employing adventure in education is to help people mature through experiences which promote: physical, cognitive, and emotional growth; respect and love for others; and awareness of and respect for the environment. Adventure encompasses a wide range of activities (rock climbing, skiing, night journeys, man-made obstacles, etc.) which share with other outdoor pursuits a framework consisting of the need for safety in potentially dangerous situations; the need for technical, physical, and personal skills; and the goal of enjoyment and satisfaction. Of all the outdoor pursuits adventure is uniquely able to provide satisfaction because it presents the most meaningful challenge, i.e., it involves risk, a healthy degree of fear, and uncertainty about the final outcome. Until such time as adventure education for all students is a practical possibility, it is important to consider subjects such as drama, art, music, and sport which may provide, through different means, some of the challenges of adventure. (JH)